Artist's Loft Combines Reclaimed Wood and Shattered Glass in South Williamsburg

It can be tricky to arrange everything one needs for life and work in a live/work space. But in this artist’s loft, designer Suchitra Van cleverly used the client’s own glass artworks as windows, dividers, and decoration.

When artist Katherine Jackson first saw the studio — in a former shipping warehouse in Williamsburg — she admired the openness of the 1,500 square foot space and its long wall of windows. But the apartment couldn’t be left blank; it needed to accommodate her art-making and also have spaces for a bedroom, kitchen, living room, and somewhere to meet clients.

Jackson works primarily in glass, which she etches, scratches and illuminates. Designer Suchitra Van immediately saw her artwork as an opportunity, incorporating it into the fabric of the renovation to create something both industrial and homey, rough and refined.

Van told Brownstoner: “The reflective and see-through glass materials served as an interesting component in counterpoint to the otherwise rough and rustic materials that were used throughout the renovation.”

A panel of shattered glass can serve as a room divider, window, and visual focal point. Embedded in the study room’s wall, this “peek-a-boo” window gives a glimpse of Jackson’s book collection.

A view of the living room. The gold and teal accent colors recur throughout the space.

The apartment’s original fire doors were sealed but left unpainted.

The claw foot tub and the industrial window above it were salvaged from the space pre-renovation.

Reclaimed wood found at Big Reuse was used to add rough details to the raised bedroom platform.

A well worn Eames Lounge chair adds a hint of design polish to the rustic reading nook.

[Photos: Suchitra Van]

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